Group work has been the hit of this semester and what can I say? I’m not the biggest fan of group projects as I always seem to get group member who could really care less, and I’m sure I’m not the only one in this position. I try to look at it though, as practice for the real world as many tasks will be done in groups, or someone will have to depend on me to get something done and vice versa.
I try to make the best of the situations. I always end up being the group leader, not that I do mind this, but sometimes its good to see others step up to the plate. Some common issues with classroom team projects are: students do not take the work seriously- as a result do not put in as much effort, they never respond to emails, never show up to group meetings, constantly complaining about decisions being made and has no recommendations, or they simple do nothing and wait for the grade to be evenly distributed. Now this is just irritating and is acceptable for neither the classroom nor the workplace.
Tips to survive group work:
Go in with a positive attitude, ready to contribute your best to the group. All that is really in your control is how you contribute and react to your various group interactions.
Keep an open mind towards the other group members. Their work and communication styles may be completely foreign to you. You may have to work with someone you absolutely cannot get along with. You will have to figure out how to get past whatever clashes in the group, make the best of everyone's strengths and work together to make up for each other's weaknesses.
Look at group work as an opportunity to learn about different working personalities -- not only your own, but also the ways other people tend to work. Once you begin to identify your own working patterns and those of various other people, you can then better communicate and co-operate with people of numerous backgrounds and styles. The interpersonal, team work and conflict resolution skills you gain from your university group projects will serve you well in the work world once you start your career. (http://www.iamnext.com/academics/groupattitude.html)
“Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.”- Henry Ford
KEEP WRITING U INSPIRE ME
Posted by: amanda | 03/31/2010 at 11:19 AM